Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, and as the 2025 golf season comes to a close, there are several players with plenty to be thankful for.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on the moments — and the people — that helped define a remarkable year in golf. Beyond the stars who dominated through pure talent and hard work, 2025 brought a handful of players plenty of reasons to give thanks for the breaks, boosts and timely turns of fortune that fell their way.
Across tours and major events, some golfers saw their careers reshaped not only by their own performances, but by rule adjustments, scoring systems, team dynamics and the kindness of others. With that in mind, here are the five players who arguably have the most to be grateful for this year.
Tommy Fleetwood
For much of the 2025 season, Tommy Fleetwood appeared destined for heartbreak. Losing the Travelers Championship to Keegan Bradley on the final hole extended his painful wait for a first PGA Tour win. But the year turned around spectacularly. Fleetwood captured his maiden victory at the Tour Championship, played a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Bethpage Black, and — most importantly — secured the FedEx Cup title.
His season-ending triumph was possible in large part because of a crucial PGA Tour rule change: the removal of the starting strokes format at East Lake. Without that adjustment, Scottie Scheffler — the regular-season points leader — would have begun the event with a head start. It’s difficult to imagine anyone beating Scheffler under the old system, giving Fleetwood every reason to be thankful.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm lifted the LIV Golf individual championship in 2025, and few players owe more to a scoring format than he does. Rahm’s consistency — four runner-up finishes and just one result outside the top 10 — proved more valuable than Joaquin Niemann’s record-breaking season, in which Niemann won more events but struggled whenever he didn’t finish first.
Under LIV’s points structure, Rahm’s steady output outpaced Niemann’s volatility, allowing him to claim the title without winning a single tournament. If there was ever a season to appreciate the system, this was it.
Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry’s 2025 season was far from smooth, marked by stretches of inconsistency and frustration. Yet despite those struggles, he found himself at the center of one of the most dramatic Ryder Cup moments in recent memory. What was initially expected to be a routine, low-stakes singles match against Russell Henley transformed into a pressure-filled scenario as Team USA mounted a fierce Sunday comeback at Bethpage Black.
With Europe in desperate need of a half point to retain the trophy, Lowry delivered the crucial putt — something he later described as “the coolest thing I’ve done in my life.” The opportunity only arose because the earlier sessions had created a seven-point cushion, and because the American surge made his match decisive. Everything aligned perfectly, giving Lowry a moment he’ll be grateful for for years to come.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy enjoyed one of the greatest seasons of his career in 2025: winning The Masters to complete the career Grand Slam, capturing the Ryder Cup away from home, and adding titles at the Irish Open, Pebble Beach and The Players. But the gratitude he owes this year goes well beyond trophies and accolades.
During the emotionally charged Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, McIlroy was subjected to relentless abuse from the New York crowd. His partner Shane Lowry became far more than a teammate — he was a shield, an enforcer and a steadying presence. Lowry walked McIlroy through the chaos like a bodyguard, pushing back against the hostility and helping the pair secure a 2up victory over Cameron Young and Justin Thomas. McIlroy was the better performer that day, but Lowry was the reason he survived the environment. That solidarity is what he should be most thankful for this year.
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth’s 2025 season brought little joy on the course. Winless since 2022 and with only two top-five finishes all year, the former world No. 1 continued to struggle for form. But even in a down year, Spieth has a significant reason to be grateful: opportunities keep coming his way.
Despite skipping the entire fall season, Spieth was invited to compete at the Hero World Challenge — a spot granted by tournament host Tiger Woods. Throughout the year, he continued receiving sponsor exemptions and starts at some of the most prestigious events on the schedule. Whether these opportunities are rewards for his three-major legacy or reflections of his enduring commercial appeal, they remain invaluable privileges. In a season where results were scarce, Spieth should be thankful he’s still being given stages to play on.
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